‘Jashan-e-Bahara Mela’ to be held on March 15

Official says festival to become permanent cultural fixture in years to come

RAWALPINDI:

The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has decided to host a "Jashan-e-Bahara Mela" (Spring Festival) on March 15 to March 20 at the Allama Iqbal Park in Rawalpindi.

Punjab and Potohar cultural floats will be fitted on the festival premises, a ‘Sufi Night’ will be held, and new electronic swings will be installed for children excited to visit. There will be a craft exhibition, a flower show, a sports fest, and various folk song competitions. Further, folk artists hailing from Punjab will perform at the festival, to highlight the culture of the province. Indigenous food stalls will also be on display during the festival.

Previously, the festival was canceled due to the pandemic. However, it will be held this year.

PHA Chairman Asif Mehmood said, “Students from all universities and colleges are invited to participate in the spring festival.” Federal and provincial ministers will inaugurate it, he added.

“The decoration of the park has already begun,” he said. The entire park is currently decorated with flowers and animal statues, he added. Colourful lights have also been installed on the roads to make the festival more visually appealing, he said. Promotions for the event are in full swing, he added.

“With the festival, we have enhanced the beauty of all the 55 large and small parks of Rawalpindi,” said the Chairman. The cleaning and security system of the parks has also been improved, he added. “Close circuit cameras have been installed at entry points and popular locations in the parks for foolproof security,” he said.

In the end, Mehmood said that a Miyawaki forest had also been planted at Allama Iqbal Park. “About 4,000 fruit trees have been planted in the park,” he added.

The chairman said that they would make the mela a permanent cultural fixture in Rawalpindi.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 1^st, 2022.